Building Connections in a Digital World

Jason Morris • Nov 08, 2024

How do we come to terms with the idea of digital discipleship?

Today’s digital world is revolutionizing discipleship. We’re seeing digital discipleship become essential for how we connect, learn, and grow in faith.


So what Is digital discipleship?

Digital discipleship is about using digital tools to disciple others. But it’s not just info-sharing; it’s about sparking relationships that grow faith and build community. At the heart of discipleship is friendship—the soil where it thrives.


Why friendship matters

People often say discipleship works best in community. But the truth? It’s strongest in friendship. Relationships without friendship can be experienced as shallow, but true discipleship means caring about someone’s growth and well-being. Jesus showed us the need for this, calling his disciples friends, not servants.


Friendship in digital spaces

Friendship creates deeper connections and real conversations. Discipleship isn’t about lecturing; it’s about walking with others in their faith journey. Digital spaces offer surprising potential for friendship, whether through gaming, social media, or messaging apps.


Platforms for digital discipleship

Digital opens up endless spaces for friendship-based discipleship:

  • Gaming: Games like Fortnite and Minecraft bring people together to chat, collaborate, and build friendships that pave the way for discipleship.
  • Social media: Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are community hubs to share faith wins, struggles, and daily life.
  • Messaging apps: With apps like Whatsapp and Discord, people can keep up with prayer requests, share biblical insights, and have ongoing conversations.


Building friendships online

Digital discipleship is more than follower counts. True impact requires friendship. Here’s how:

  • Engage authentically: Share your real life—the wins, losses, and struggles. People connect with authenticity.
  • Be available: Make time for conversations and respond to DMs. Show you care.
  • Create shared experiences: Host virtual events, Bible studies, or prayer meetings to build community.


The role of communication in digital discipleship

Great communication drives strong relationships, especially online. Here’s how to keep it real:

  • Mix formats: Use text, video, and audio to keep conversations going. Youtube and podcasts are great for deeper dives and hanging out.
  • Encourage feedback: Let people share their thoughts openly.
  • Be consistent: Regular check-ins show you are genuinely invested in the friendships.


Expanding your reach

Digital discipleship isn’t just local; it’s global. Use these strategies to reach more:

  • Social media: Share content across platforms and encourage others to spread it.
  • Collaborate with other ministries: Partner with churches or groups to boost reach.
  • Create shareable content: Infographics, videos, and blog posts let others share your message easily.


The future of discipleship

As culture shifts, discipleship must adapt. Digital discipleship lets us connect and grow in ways we never could before. When we prioritize friendship and lean into digital tools, we create discipleship experiences that go beyond our physical boundaries.

Feeling called to plant a church online? Check out what’s possible with theChurch.digital.

What do you think? Share your ideas on Discord or on social media.


Through the.Church.digital, we are helping physical and digital churches better understand the discipleship process, and helping churches and church planters understand this and other decentralized mindset shifts. By taking this quick assessment we can get you connect with a coach, resources and more. Also, check out our Discord Group where we are encouraging people daily. 

Building Connections in a Digital World
By Jason Morris 08 Nov, 2024
Digital discipleship transforms how we connect, focusing on defining real friendships and spiritual growth rather than just information-sharing. Using platforms from gaming to social media, it creates spaces for deep, faith-centered relationships that thrive on authentic interactions.
Discipleship in Digital Spaces
By Barbara Carneiro 06 Nov, 2024
Digital spaces are now essential places for connection, offering unique opportunities for digital missionaries to share the gospel and disciple others. We’ll look at how to engage intentionally online through building relationships, hosting virtual events, and sparking deeper faith conversations.
Beyond Boundaries: Embracing the Digital Mission Field
By Craig Whitney 29 Oct, 2024
Digital missionaries are redefining missions outreach by using technology to engage in disciple-making across online platforms. As digital spaces become mission fields, anyone can fulfill a calling without leaving their community. Through mentorship and intentional outreach, these pioneers build impactful connections that extend beyond traditional church walls.
Privacy in Digital Ministry: Building Trust in Online Spaces
By Andy Mage 25 Oct, 2024
Privacy should be a non-negotiable in digital ministry. As faith move online, digital leaders must create spaces where personal stories stay safe. This isn’t about tech alone—it's about trust. By setting clear boundaries, asking permission, and leading vigilantly, we make room for real connection and digital discipleship.
Social Media Is NOT Digital Community
By Jeff Reed 10 Oct, 2024
Social media connects people globally but misses the depth needed for true communities, which thrive on two-way conversations and relational engagement—better achieved through digital communities like Discord or Slack. These platforms foster dialogue, empowerment, and nuanced relationships built on trust. Transitioning followers to these dynamic digital communities leverages social media's reach, creating spaces where authentic interactions can truly flourish.
What Exactly Is a Digital Missionary?
By Jeff Reed 20 Sep, 2024
Digital missionaries use online platforms like WhatsApp, TikTok, and YouTube to share the Gospel with those who may be distant from traditional church settings. As trust in church buildings and pastors declines, many now turn to digital tools for spiritual guidance. Platforms like theChurch.digital support these missionaries by validating, equipping, and mobilizing them for their unique digital ministry, helping them connect with people globally and multiply their efforts for Christ’s Kingdom.
Digital Missionaries and the Future of theChurch.digital
By Jeff Reed 18 Sep, 2024
theChurch.digital is evolving into a digital mission-sending agency, equipping everyday people to become digital missionaries in their unique online contexts. With the concept of Platforms as Places, the organization views platforms like TikTok and YouTube as mission fields and will train digital missionaries through a new 13-week course launching in 2025. Outposts will further support and empower these missionaries, fostering encouragement, exploration, experimentation, and collaboration across digital spaces.
5 Online Ministry Insights from August 2024
By Tom Pounder 28 Aug, 2024
Explore the latest digital ministry trends with theChurch.digital podcast! Discover online care strategies, battle compassion fatigue, and learn from the top innovative churches. Equip yourself with tools and insights to revolutionize your online community outreach.
Investing in Apprentices
By Tom Pounder 15 Aug, 2024
Looking to take your ministry to the next level? Check out a few practical steps to help you connect with others, learn new strategies, and grow your impact online. Whether you're looking for tips, support, or fresh ideas, you'll find everything you need to make your ministry more effective and reach more people. Perfect for anyone eager to make a difference!
How to Share Your Church's Mission Through Digital Communications
By Tom Pounder 08 Aug, 2024
Transform your church's reach by leveraging digital channels like your website, social media, and email to share your mission boldly. Utilize dynamic tools like podcasts, mobile apps, and YouTube to create engaging, mission-focused content that disrupts the norm and unites your community.
Tools Needed to be a Digital Minister
By Tom Pounder 07 Aug, 2024
Whether you're leading a traditional or digital ministry, leveraging tech tools like social media platforms, video conferencing, and church management software revolutionizes effectiveness and impact. But the most important is to remember the heart behind ministry.
Caring for Others Online
By Tom Pounder 01 Aug, 2024
Transform your discipleship efforts by connecting with Stacy Knapp and leveraging online tools. Explore resources like the Digital Bootcamp, Digital Ministry, and The Church Digital's coaching to reach more people for Christ.
5 Online Ministry Insights from July 2024
By Tom Pounder 31 Jul, 2024
The digital ministry scene is buzzing with activity. Here are the latest trends in social media, live streaming, and digital disciple-making to help strengthen your online ministry. Key insights from July 2024 include the power of authenticity, tips to avoid burnout and the potential of unconventional spaces like bars for disciple-making.
Should Your Church Be Using Threads - July 2024 Update
By Tom Pounder 30 Jul, 2024
Can Threads be a new avenue for reaching people for Jesus? Well it's essential to consider several factors. This is revealed by asking the right questions about your audience, content type and engagement rate.
Using AI for Effective Church Social Media Outreach
By Tom Pounder 25 Jul, 2024
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) can redefine your church's social media presence by generating fast and engaging content, providing instant responses through chatbots, and offering data-driven insights to improve your strategy. These tools ensure consistent, timely, and diverse interactions, breaking down language barriers and building a global community.
Overcoming the Scrutiny of Digital/Meta Churches: Let's Multiply Disciples
By Jeff Reed 24 Jul, 2024
Focus on the strengths and opportunities of digital discipleship rather than the controversies. Digital churches excel in relational disciple-making and multiplying followers of Jesus, unlike traditional methods. Explore digital ministry, bypass the naysayers, and advance with those ready for this visionary approach.
The Power of Authenticity
By Tom Pounder 18 Jul, 2024
Discover how being authentic on social media during Covid has resonated deeply with audiences, and how to implement strategies for leveraging this authenticity to reach more people. Find powerful insights on expanding your reach, and explore resources like the Digital Bootcamp, coaching, and the Sidekick Scoop for comprehensive guidance in digital ministry.
Digital Discipleship Opportunities Over the Summer
By Tom Pounder 17 Jul, 2024
Summers challenge traditional ministry with inconsistent attendance due to vacations, but digital platforms offer fresh, effective ways to engage. Leverage digital tools to maintain connection, provide spiritual care, and create community even with varied schedules. Turn summer into a season of online togetherness.
How to Avoid Burnout as Digital Minister
By Tom Pounder 16 Jul, 2024
Burnout is rampant among those in ministry, especially in the relentless digital world where it's hard to fully disengage. Practicing self-care, setting clear boundaries, and building a supportive community are key to sustaining long-term digital ministry.
How to Use TikTok for Digital Discipleship
By Tom Pounder 10 Jul, 2024
Amid the Covid pandemic, reaching and guiding the younger generation demands innovative tactics, and Tiktok (now wildly popular since 2020) presents a game-changing opportunity for digital disciple-making. Let's leverage Tiktok to transform everyday moments into powerful spiritual opportunities and engage with younger people in ways they’ve maybe never experienced before, sparking spiritual growth in unexpected places.
Achieving Movement: The Heart of theChurch.digital
By Jeff Reed 09 Jul, 2024
Discover how theChurch.digital is revolutionizing the way we think about digital ministry and disciple-making! We're all about multiplying the gospel in every digital and metaverse space, helping ordinary people become extraordinary leaders. Join us to explore how to make disciples who grow into leaders, plant churches, start networks, and spark unstoppable movements. Ready to get involved in transforming the digital faith scene? Then this is for you.
Youth Ministry in a Digital World
By Tom Pounder 04 Jul, 2024
Ready to transform youth ministry in the post-Covid era? Join us as Steve Cullum expands on the current landscape of youth ministry and how we can empower teens and leaders. Discover valuable resources, connect with other youth workers, and learn digital tools to supplement your ministry. Whether you're in digital, phygital, or metaverse ministry, this episode has something radical for you!
5 Ways to Celebrate Freedom in Christ Online
By Tom Pounder 03 Jul, 2024
We have freedom in Christ and we are called to celebrate that daily.
Best Practices of Highly Effective Online Communicators
By Jim Tomberlin 02 Jul, 2024
Of the estimated 8,000+ multisite churches in North America, one third deliver their messages primarily by video, another third are hybrid delivering their messages with video and in-person, and one third deliver their messages primarily in-person. In addition, the majority of the 300K+ protestant churches across America offer some sort of church online experience. With this many churches using digital communication I reached out to Jason Morris, Product Manager at RESI, the leading all-in-one steaming service providers for churches to learn what he is seeing among online communicators. Here are some best practices we are seeing among churches for delivering digital sermons online. 1. Omit references to time, day, and weather. The most difficult thing is to remove all references to time of day, day of the week, and the weather. Avoid “tonight” or “Saturday.” Better to use words like “today” or “weekend.” 2. Avoid references to the worship team. References in the message to worship leaders or vocalists by name can be awkward or meaningless because they are different at the other locations. 3. Place the camera well. Position the camera where it is the easiest and most natural for the speaker to look into. Cameras positioned at eye-level are best for the communicator. Don’t make it awkward for the speaker by forcing them to crane their neck to peer into the camera or look up to a balcony above the main room. Use camera lights in a way so that the speaker will know which camera is the live camera. Sometimes it’s good to have an online camera that’s slightly off to the side of the stage. Make it easy for the speaker to look straight into the camera to address a campus or online audience like they were speaking to an individual. 4. Keep the camera shot tight. Stay with continual close-up headshots (video images need to feel larger-than-life), minimizing the number of full-stage and full-body shots. Avoid camera shots that remind viewers that they are not there, such as audience reactions, audience cut-away shots, or side-shots of the speaker. 5. Eyeball the camera. Looking directly into the camera makes a video audience feel included. As often as possible, it’s very powerful to look directly into the camera periodically near the beginning, during, and at the end of the message. Especially when addressing the online audience, off-site campuses and at drive-it-home moments, eyeball the camera. Here is a great example of looking into the camera like a pro from Michael Todd at Transformation Church. 6. Don’t divert viewers attention with distracting backdrops. Make sure the backdrop behind the speaker is not a distraction. Remove anything that’s not essential and keep it uncluttered and simple. 7. Include images and quotes that correspond with speaker references . Make sure the videocast includes anything the speaker references (For example: “That’s her picture you’re now seeing on the screen.”) Even better, make images a split screen or right two-thirds. Place quotes and key points on the right side or lower third of the screen. Don’t leave images or quotes up too long (10 seconds max). 8. Treat everyone as equals no matter where they are. Avoid words like “satellite” and “main” campus. They connote inequality. 9. Use inclusive language. When praying or making applications, include references to the people online and in off-site locations. Once in a message is all that’s needed to make hundreds of people sitting in an auditorium miles away to feel included in their own church. Replace geographically-bound phrases like “isn’t it great to be here!” (because some or maybe most are not) with something like “isn’t it great that we can gather as one church across our city, nation, world ...” Here’s some other tips to make everyone feel included: Look at the online chat before you get up to speak and greet people from online, even mention where they are watching from like you would another campus Digitize all calls to action so everyone can participate the same way... “Scan this QR code for the free ebook for more on this topic I’m speaking on” instead of “there’s books in the lobby” “Go to this link to sign-up” is better than “go to your campus lobby to sign up” 10. Smile as much as possible. Smiling helps connect you to your audience and keeps people engaged. Smile a lot and be sure to look into the camera when you tell a joke! 11. Speak to the primary online audience “before a live studio audience.” Effective online communicators today recognize their audience is bigger than the onsite room they are speaking in. Before recording or live-streaming the service from the broadcast location, invite the onsite audience to join you in engaging the larger online audience as a “streaming (or recorded) event before a live studio audience.” Make everyone in the room feel they are a part of something bigger than themselves. This will give you permission to look into the cameras instead of the onsite audience. Be mindful as you prepare messages that you are speaking to an audience that encompasses more than those in the room with you. They see you as their pastor and spiritual leader. They feel connected to you; they love you. They show up onsite and online because of the spiritual teaching they receive from you. Practice these habits and you will become a better and more effective digital communicator!  12. Make Sure Every Speaker Knows These Guidelines. Be sure to give these guidelines to any guest speakers so that they too can make the most of your church’s video delivery and also become better digital communicators!
MORE ARTICLES
Share by: